Hooded bracket for curtains, etc.



May 29, 1934. J, ER 1,960,983

HOODED BRACKET FOR CURTAINS, ETC

Filed Aug. 6, 1932 a 55 like.

Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Walter J. Stuber, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Carey-McFall 00., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 6, 1932, Serial No. 627,768

9 Claims.

This invention relates to brackets for supporting the opposite ends of a roller, especially a spring loaded roller, on which is wound a drop sheet, such as a window shade, map or the like. The present invention has particular bearing on window shade assemblies and especially those of automobiles of the closed type and other vehicles.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a rigid bracket for supporting the roller pivots and which will completely conceal such pivots and the ends of the roller that may become visible between the opposite edges of the drop sheet and the adjacently disposed supporting brackets, as a result of transverse shrinkage of the drop sheet etc. which is quite common with the material of which the greater percentage of automobile curtains is composed.

Another object of the invention is to construct each bracket of as few parts as possible and to secure the parts together in such a rigid manner that relative movement therebetween is impossible and the possibilities of rattling entirely eliminated.

The construction of various forms of brackets embodying the principles of the present inventionwill be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a face view of a roller supported by one form of bracket constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow heads;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view along line 33 of Fi 1;

Fig. 4 is a face View of the bracket shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of another form of bracket:

Fig. 6 is a face view of the bracket of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view similar to Figs. 3 and 5 of a still further modification; and

Fig. 8 is a face view of the bracket of Fig. 7.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawing, the device illustrated therein comprises a pair of similar brackets 1, each of which consists of two metal stampings numbered respectively 2 and 3 (see Figs. 3 and 4). Stamping 2 is formed to provide a foot 4, a neck 5, a shield 6, and a hood 7. As shown more clearly in Fig 1, foot 4 is provided with suitable apertures 8 which are adapted to receive screws or the like for fastening the bracket to a supporting wall or the Neck 5 is trough-shaped so as to present a smooth substantially semi-cylindrical outer surface to view and also to snugly receive a portion of stamping 3, as will appear more clearly hereinafter.

Stamping 3 is formed to provide a head plate 9 which is provided with a centrally disposed aperture 10 for receiving the pivot 11 of the supported roller 12. The head plate 9 has a peripheral flange 13 which seats snugly against a shoulder 14 formed in stamping 2 about the peripheral portion of shield 6. A depending inwardly turned tongue 15 is also formed on the head plate and is adapted to seat snugly within the trough-shaped neck 5, as illustrated more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. In order to firmly and rigidly secure the head plate in position, stamping 2 is creased or grooved annularly at 16 so that the head plate is firmly held between the annular shoulder 14 and the annular indentation 16. The hood 7 extends beyond groove 16 and is provided with a slot opening 1'7, through which the drop sheet or shade 18 carried on roller 12 may move. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that when the roller is mounted by means of the brackets disclosed and above described, the hood '7 and shield 6 obscure the end of the roller and the rolled edge of the drop sheet from View. Since the material of which many automobile shades and other drop sheets are made invariably shrinks transversely so as to normally expose the ends of the supporting roller, the hood of the present device serves a very useful purpose.

In constructing the bracket above described, the stampings are first formed and then the stamping 3 comprising the head plate is inserted within stamping 2, as illustrated and described. The head plate is then secured in place as above described and thetwo parts of the device are thus integrally and rigidly united. The resulting article is neat and attractive in appearance, efficient in operation, and easily and cheaply manufacturable.

In the device illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, two metal stampings 19 and 20 are provided and integrally united. Stamping 19 is formed to provide a foot 21, a fiat neck 22, and a head plate 23 having an aperture 24 therein for pivotally supporting the adjacently disposed end of the roller. Stamping 20 is formed to provide a shield 25 and a hood 26. This stamping is provided with an annular shoulder 27, corresponding to shoulder 14 above mentioned, which is adapted to seat the head plate 23. Stamping 20 is creased or grooved at 28 to firmly and rigidly secure the head plate in the recess between shoulder 2'7 and the indentation. The hood is provided with an opening 29 through which the drop sheet moves.

In this form of device, the stampings are first formed and then integrally assembled in the same general manner as stated above with reference to the device of Figs. 1 to 4. The hood Z6 and the shield 25 serve the same useful purposes as have been enumerated above. This form of device also presents a neat appearance, is efficient in operation and is easily and cheaply manufacturable.

In Figs. '7 and 8, there is disclosed a still further modified form of device which is formed as a single metal stamping 30. This stamping is formed to provide a foot 31, a trough-shaped neck 32, a shield 33, a hood 34, and a head plate 35. As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, the head plate takes the form of a tongue which is formed integrally on the outer peripheral edge of shield 33 at opening 36 of hood 34, this opening allowing movement of the drop sheet as above set forth. The circular end of the transversely extending tongue, which constitutes the head plate 35, is provided with an aperture 37 which affords pivotal support for the adjacently disposed end of the roller.

In the construction of this form of the device, the stamping is first formed with the head plate tongue extending outward and then this tongue is bent along the peripheral edge of shield 33 so that it extends transversely inward as illustrated. The various elements of the device serve the same useful purposes as have been enumerated above. This form of the device is extremely simple and easy to manufacture at low cost but at the same time functions efficiently to achieve the desired end.

Speaking generally of the various forms of the device above described, it will be noted that the present invention contemplates the provision of a roller-supporting bracket which consists of not more than two integrally united sheet metal stampings formed to provide the various portions of the device. It is intended, of course, that where the bracket comprises two stampings, these are firmly united integrally so as to be inseparable one from another. I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to provide a roller supporting bracket having an end-concealing hood and formed of two parts. In such device, however, the parts are removably associated and, as a result, the bracket is subject to certain inherent objectionable characteristics, such as looseness of parts, especially after continued use, causing rattle and inefficient operation.

Although the invention has been illustrated herein by means of certain varied forms, it will be understood that it may be practiced in further modified forms so long as the principal features as set forth in the depending claims are maintained.

I claim:

1. A bracket for supporting one end of a roller having a drop sheet wound thereon, said bracket consisting of two sheet metal stampings permanently secured together against relative movement therebetween and formed to provide a foot, a head having an aperture affording pivotal support for the adjacently disposed end of the roller, a shield covering the aperture at one side of the head, and a hood projecting from the opposite side of the head and extending over the adjacent end of the roller and the corresponding edge of the drop sheet wound thereon, said hood having a slot for the passage of the edge of a portion of the drop sheet extending tangentially from the portion thereof wound on the roller.

2. A bracket for supporting one end of a roller having a drop sheet wound thereon, said bracket consisting of a sheet metal stamping comprising a head plate having an aperture affording pivotal support for the adjacently disposed end of the roller, and a second sheet metal stamping permanently secured to the first said stamping against relative movement therebetween and shaped to form a foot, a shield at one side of the head plate for covering the aperture therein, and a hood projecting from the opposite side of the head plate and extending over the adjacent end of the roller and the corresponding edge of the drop sheet wound thereon.

3. A bracket for supporting one end of a roller having a drop sheet wound thereon, said bracket consisting of a sheet metal stamping comprising a head plate having an aperture afiording pivotal support for the adjacently disposed end of the roller, and a second sheet metal stamping shaped to form a foot, a shield at one side of the head plate for covering the aperture therein, and a hood projecting from the opposite side of the head plate and extending over the adjacent end of the roller and the corresponding edge of the drop sheet wound thereon, said second stamping having a groove formed therein between the shield and the hood for receiving and rigidly securing the head plate in place.

4. A bracket for supporting one end of a roller having a drop sheet Wound thereon, said bracket consisting of a sheet metal stamping comprising a foot, a head plate formed integrally with the foot and having an aperture affording pivotal support for the adjacently disposed end of the roller, and a second sheet metal stamping permanently secured to the first said stamping against relative movement therebetween and comprising a shield disposed at one side of the head plate for covering the aperture therein and a hood projecting from the opposite side of the head plate and extending over the adjacent end of the roller and the corresponding edge of the drop sheet.

5. A bracket for supporting one end of a roller having a drop sheet wound thereon, said bracket consisting of a sheet metal stamping comprising a foot, a head plate formed integrally with the foot and having an aperture affording pivotal support for the adjacently disposed end of the roller, and a second sheet metal stamping comprising a shield disposed at one side of the head plate for covering the aperture therein and a hood projecting from the opposite side of the head plate and extending over the adjacent end of the roller and the corresponding edge of the drop sheet, said second stamping having a groove formed therein between the shield and the hood for receiving and rigidly securing the head plate in position.

6. A bracket for supporting one end of a roller having a drop sheet wound thereon, said bracket consisting of a single sheet metal stamping comprising a head plate having an aperture affording pivotal support for the adjacent end of the roller, a shield formed integral with the head plate and extending over a side thereof to cover the aperture therein, a hood formed integral with the shield and head plate and projecting around and to the opposite side of the head plate and extending over the adjacent end of the roller and the corresponding edge of the drop sheet wound thereon.

7. A roller supporting bracket consisting of a rigid trunnion supporting plate, a trunnion hiding shield at one side of the plate, an annular hood at and projecting laterally from the opposite side of the plate and extending inwardly beyond and around one end of the roller and the edge of a drop sheet wound thereon and having a relatively narrow slot for passage of the sheet extending tangentially from the roller, and a bracket-supporting foot, all permanently secured together against relative movement therebetween to form a complete rigid unit composed entirely of sheet metal stamped to shape the component parts of the bracket.

8. A one piece bracket for curtain rollers comprising a base plate for attachment to a support, an integral shank extending outwardly from the base plate, and a hollow head integral with the shank at the outer end thereof and formed with a cylindrical flange on one side thereof, said cylindrical flange being formed with a slot adjacent the shank and a bearing disk seated in the head at the inner end of the cylindrical flange and having an opening for receiving the axle of a curtain roller, the cylindrical flange housing the margin of the curtain on the roller mounted in the bracket and said slot forming a passage for the pendant portion of the curtain.

9. A one piece sheet metal bracket for curtain rollers having a base plate, a shank projecting from the base plate and a head at the outer end of the shank, the shank being channel shaped in cross section, whereby it has opposing side flanges, and the head having a cylindrical flange on one side thereof for housing the end of the roller and curtain wound thereon, the cylindrical flange being a continuation of the side flanges of the shank, the cylindrical flange also having a slot adjacent the shank forming a passage for the pendant part of the curtain, and a bearing disk fitted in the cylindrical flange and having a projection fitting into the channel of the shank.

WALTER J. STUBER. 

